Kat's POV
Kayline Watkins who sat closest to me saw the rose in my hand. Curiosity got the best of her and she could not help asking,
"that's a lovely rose, where did you get it from?"
Since I did not know who the giver was I replied honestly,
"Thank you, I actually don't know."
"Oh, really?" She mocked as her eye brow shot up.
"A secret admirer maybe?" Jealousy was written all over her face.
"No actually," I replied trying to not make a fuss, "I found it."
"Ohhh, I get it now, your just picking up someone else's trash!" She smirked triumphantly. She had said that because there were a few times she saw a rose in the trash bins when she went to throw something away. She had wondered why she kept seeing them and why anyone would throw them away. So when she saw Caterina holding it, she knew she had to find out who gave it to her and why anyone would show any interest in her since she hardly ever spoke with anyone. She prided herself on being the prettiest, most popular, and most sought after girl.
Right about now the classmates within earshot had heard everything and all saw what was happening but no one dared to intervene as it was Kayline who was talking. Kayline was one of the smartest ones in class but also one of the meanest. You did not want to get on her bad side no matter the cost.
I sat there silently for I was at a loss for words. I could not comprehend how something so simple was being blown out of proportion. My silence was interpreted as submission, especially since no one was in my corner. Not that I blamed anyone for there was no blame to be placed for that matter. At first when I first started school I was too distraught to make any effort in talking to anyone. It became a place of complacency. No one bothered me and I didn't bother anyone. Nothing bad or good ever happened. Everything was just as it was. Until today. Today would determine what kind of outcome I would receive for the remaining school year depending on who I offended or who would be my friend. I definitely did not want an enemy let alone a whole classroom as an enemy. But seeing as our interaction had gone beyond return, it may not be as simple as talking my way out of this. I looked around me for anyone who could help me but all I saw from the students were their looks of pity. Pity that I had drawn the attention of one of the most petty girls in the school. Thankfully, a handful of the classmate had gone already and did not know what was happening. The only problem now was how these onlookers were going to relay what happened, and were they going to be truthful about what they saw. My guess was no, nothing good was going to come out of this.
I looked at Kayline and replied, "okay, and? What's wrong with that? A rose is a rose regardless of how it got to me!" Not waiting for a reply, I left before anyone else could say anything. After that incident, everything changed. The students no longer left me alone let alone make me me feel invisible anymore. The roses stopped showing up after that day. From that day on everyone thought I was this arrogant girl who liked to pick fights.
Of course I expected this. No one was going to tell it truthfully how it happened, that I was the one that was being bullied and not the other way around. They took every chance I had to stand up for my self to make it look like I was the one causing the trouble in the first place. Teachers were soon at a loss as to who to believe, but some knew deep down that there must be more to the story and didn't give in to the students demand for punishment. One of those teachers was Mr. Mraz. He had found me in the school garden eating my lunch. We sat together and ate lunch until he asked me what happened. I told him the story and waited for his response. He said that he believed me and that I could come to him if I needed help in any way or even just to talk. I said okay and then reached into my bag and took out the wilted rose.
"This rose has caused me pain, then joy, and now troubles. I think it's time I let it go."
I knelt by a shrub and gently removed the dirt to the side. I placed the rose on the dirt and covered it up.
" Did you ever find out who gave it to you?"Mr Mraz asked.
"No, and now I hope I don't ever! Especially since they clearly are taking the other side!" I replied very determined.
"I see." He said very thoughtfully. He said it so calmly that I looked up from the dirt to look at him. I caught a slight smile at the corner of his mouth that quickly vanished when he saw my eyes.
"Katerina," he hesitated.
"What?" I asked expectantly.
"Don't let the other students harden your heart or break you spirit, okay? You have your whole life ahead of you to let them turn you into someone else."
I thought about what he said for a moment, at first being angry but then understanding what he meant.
I looked over the nearby flower and replied, "Okay, but it won't be easy."
He smiled at me and patted my head, "it never is."
After that encounter, I shielded my heart from their torment. I tried to leave school troubles at school and not let it effect my home life. It worked okay for the most part but Kayline and her friend Sobri had it out for me. Not only that but they involved Kayline's boyfriend at times and even his friends. Kayline's boyfriend was worse than her and enjoyed putting her schemes into actions. Kayline's boyfriend was Bray Quintero. Bray Quintero's best friend was Collin Cotheran.